In fewdays, in the last Friday of the Ramadan we will celebrate the thirty-seven year memorial of the International Day of Al-Quds, called out by Imam Khomeini for Palestine and its capital al-Quds, the center of the heart of Arab-Muslim consciousness.

Year after year have passed by, since the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. Today the holy city of al-Quds has resumed its role in focusing and mobilizing the Arab nations against oppression and humiliation of Muslims and beyond all – the oppressed in the world.

Al-Quds is not just the occupied city of 1948, by the Zionists. She also became the symbol of occupation, oppression and humiliation, for what a city of the world has become, since it was occupied by the imperialist-Zionist alliance of the world.

Al-Quds, the city of peace, became the city of hate and war, since the Zionists wanted to make it an exclusively Jewish city, synonymous to the Zionist, imperialist – excluding all else and arrogant.

Al-Quds, the heavenly city, under occupation, has become a city where the vilest passions are unleashed, inhabited by Jewish settlers and soldiers, who spit in the face, imprison, deport, kill, crush and torture the Palestinian people, particularly the Palestinian children.

Under Zionist occupation, the holy city where the imperial-Zionist insolence at all levels is manifested, through the history begrimed, marked with filth , violated, denied, altered, mutilated or destroyed, its ruins, its tombs desecrated, its mosques and churches unclean, and its population bruised and battered.

The new barbarians who occupy al- Quds looked at this majestic city to be used and abused – butchered, it became a focus-point for their rage and hatred towards all humanity. They took revenge on al-Quds and its people, looking for vengeance on all Arab and Muslim people who built one of the greatest civilizations in the world, a monotheistic religion that brought into existence the human dignity complete, a servant of the only one God.

The occupation of Palestine – and al-Quds, by the racist and illegal Zionist regime, epitomizes all the crimes against humanity – the greatest threat to peace and stability across the globe. Jewish exclusivism bestirred its own people, areas of the city al-Quds suffered ethnic cleansing; some parts are now being Judaized.

Throughout the history of al-Quds, Muslims have contributed to its greatness for a pious purpose, dedicating waqfs located in Palestine, and elsewhere in the Muslim world, to be used by its followers its students, its visitors, and its poor people – as mosques, schools, hospitals, libraries, hotels and fountains. Cold and calculating, the Zionists has clean swept and virtually destroyed everything.

Earlier the Muslims encouraged the Jews to visit al-Quds, without restrictions; today the Zionists demonstrate its gratitude by digging bunkers below the Muslims holy sanctuary, the al-Aqsa Mosque. Harboring wild hordes from around the world, dumping loads of ignorance and hatred, inside one of the most prestigious knowledge centers ever been a spark for future human development and inspiring passion for learning and creativity.

In fact, al-Quds has always been there in the minds of Arab and Muslim peoples, deplorably because of successive defeats suffered in the struggle against the Zionist entity, the colonized Palestinian people had demoted what should have been their focus of attention, buried it in their memory, thinking that the symbol of their greatness is distant – and indestructible.

Therefore the call of Imam Khomeini is crucial to the revival of this consciousness. In more than thirty years, this call on Imam Khomeini has been embarked on the course of mobilizing the nation for the liberation of al-Quds, which also is the liberation of Muslims against all oppression.

In this Day of al-Quds celebrated in the month of Ramadan, the most sacred of the year, al-Quds and Palestine rightfully claim to be the true heart of the nation and of its conscience.

The celebration of the International Day of Al-Quds has taken a new momentum following the victory of the resistance in Lebanon in 2000. Firstly, because it was the triumph of determination and faith of the people, capable to resistant against the enemies of the nation.

Secondly, a triumph against those who played in the initial, and still place in doubt the possibility of victories – at the time when the sheer weapon appears to be faith, faith in God the Almighty and faith in the man His servant, faith in his abilities, self-worth and dignity.

The World Day of Al-Quds has managed, over time, to release this great power drawn up from the nation, and direct it towards the fight against all oppression. Oppression of al-Quds and Maqdisi in the midst, precisely where it hurts, the fiercest and most terrible. Precisely in this city and in this country, whose Liberation is now announced – in the face of the contemporary world.

The enemies of this nation were also included. That is why they directed their weapons and campaigns of vilification and derision against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and against its founder, Imam Khomeini and against its leaders.

They sought every means to destroy not only the country, but the revolutionary spirit that animates it. A consciousness that gives hope to oppressed people, including the Muslim nations, saying that their victory against oppression is also due to their efforts and labors, and that their faith is the “noblest creatures” of God.

In this year, after that the Arab people have begun to shake off the yoke of oppression, the celebration of the International Day of al-Quds will be another opportunity to assert – that al-Quds remains at the heart of our consciousness and our efforts. – And that the path of our liberation and our independence is the inevitable consequence of the liberation of al-Quds and the whole of Palestine – the Zionist yoke of oppression.

As we today are watching al – Quds, our eyes will continues to rest on it – and because of the greatness of al-Quds our hearts will continue to beat.

The Sayyid is a network of interested people in
Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei’s personality and
thoughts.
The Sayyid network works as a source for people
generated materials regarding ideas and personality
of Ayatollah Khamenei.
The Sayyid network provides general understanding
of Ayatollah Khamenei’s intellectual contributions on
the socio-political, religious, economical, and cultural
issues.